When actor Yuri Sardarov’s character Otis was killed off in Season 8 of Chicago Fire, fans were heartbroken. Otis, full name Brian Zvonecek, had been a mainstay at Firehouse 51 since the early days, beloved for his humor, loyalty, and warmth. The choice to end his storyline with a fatal injury in the mattress factory fire was a bold and emotional move for the writers, but also for Sardarov himself.
In a recent interview, Sardarov opened up about the experience of leaving the show. “I knew it was time,” he said. “As painful as it was to say goodbye to a character I’d lived with for nearly a decade, I wanted to explore other sides of my creativity.”
Since leaving Chicago Fire, Sardarov has taken on new acting projects, but he’s also ventured into writing — film, television, and possibly even a book. He’s recently appeared in The Rookie and FBI: International, while working on a personal screenplay he hopes to produce independently.
The actor also spoke candidly about life offscreen. After relocating from Chicago to Los Angeles, he eloped with his partner, Madi Minju. “It’s a new chapter,” he said. “And it feels right.”
For fans still mourning Otis’ loss, Sardarov’s new path offers a sense of peace: their favorite firefighter may be gone from Firehouse 51, but the man behind him is thriving.
